So, we expect five upsets in the first round: Neshaminy over No. 3 Unionville; C.B. South over No. 4 Plymouth Whitemarsh; Ridley over No. 5 Garnet Valley; North Penn over No. 6 West Chester Rustin; and Coatesville over No. 7 Spring-Ford.
In the quarterfinals, C.R. South battles past similarly run-happy Henderson; Ridley, with a rugged defense, ousts Matt Johns and C.B. South; Abington's balance proves too much for Coatesville; and North Penn handles familiar playoff foe Neshaminy.
In the semifinals, Ridley stymies quarterback Brian Donnelly and C.R. South's wishbone offense, and North Penn, impressive in recent weeks, gets a chance to defend its crown by ending Abington's stellar season.
The AAAA champion?
Continuing the momentum it has gained since falling apart in the second half of a Week 3 loss to St. Joseph's Prep, North Penn ends the Cinderella story, beating Ridley, 21-19, and claiming its second district title in the last four years and fifth overall.
District 1 Class AAA. In first-round action, No. 1 Pottsgrove downs No. 8 Pope John Paul II; No. 5 Strath Haven avenges a regular-season loss and defeats No. 4 Marple Newtown; No. 2 Springfield (Delco) trips No. 7 Academy Park; and No. 6 Interboro squeaks past No. 3 Phoenixville.
In the semifinals, Strath Haven fights past Pottsgrove, and Springfield dismisses Delaware County neighbor Interboro.
In all-Central League final, Strath Haven and Springfield meet again. The Panthers won, 28-7, on Oct. 28. Kevin Clancy's squad keeps the upper hand with a 26-14 triumph over the Cougars.
Last week: 6-1. Overall: 84-30.
Friday
District 1 Class AAAA
No. 16 Upper Dublin (7-2) at No. 1 C.R. South (9-1), 7 p.m. C.R. South's defense, led by tackle Andrew Cohen, will make things tough on QB Andrew Derr and the Cardinals. Pick: C.R. South, 34-14.
